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Friday, August 28, 2009

Yet another swingy, long top with an assymetric hem. Hmmm... am I getting into a rut? Please bear with me and I will try to do better next time.

This pattern, by Marcy Tilton, is really wonderful. It features two different neck variations and each is lovely and worth checking out. Views A and B feature a "twisted ribbing". I saw this on one of Marcy's garments on her website a few years ago. I emailed her and asked her how it was done. At the time she told me she wasn't sure how she was going to release the technique. Some time later, the technique was featured in her pattern and I'm so glad she chose this way of sharing it. :) I haven't made this version yet, but I have read the instructions and will be getting around to it at some point.

View C is a turtleneck with a twist. Literally. You sew the right side of the neck tube (one edge only) to the right side of the neck and turn the unsewn edge of the tube to the inside (wrong sides together). But, instead of pinning in the usual way, you slide the edge a couple inches over. As a result, the whole neckband is twisted. This yields in a draped, "slouch" turtleneck which gracefully frames the neck. You know how turtlenecks can sometimes have a mind of their own - they can sit there, all obstinate and stiff, well, not this one.

I made view C, with a couple of modifications. First, I decided to put the floppy hip piece on both sides. I like the original design, where it's only on one hip and the other side seam has a slit, but I had lots of fabric and just felt like it. I made the second modification when I was sewing up the arm/side seam. I felt it was too wide at the wrist so I used a 2" seam allowance there and tapered it back to the 5/8" at the elbow. The resulting line is more flattering on me.

The fabric I used was a very cheap poly jersey. Nasty stuff - it should have a huge sign posted on it in the store that says, "Do not even THINK of sewing this fabric unless you have a working serger!!" I don't have a working serger at the moment, but the fabric was $2 per yard and I liked the color and drape. Oh well. The seams are on the inside, so their ugliness is hidden, but the only way to hem this nasty stuff without a serger (for me, anyway) is by hand. So that's what I did. At first I was going to leave the edges completely raw, but I played with the fabric after washing it and I didn't like how the raw edges behaved. Raw edges can be dandy (and very high end) in more stable knits.

I've seen this same top in a boutique for about $170, made out of the same fabric, with serged hems.

Here's the top:

And here's the slouch neck:

Though I find this sort of top somewhat flattering on me and easy to wear, I promise my next garment will have different lines. :)